Police have asked the State Liquor Control Board not to renew a Lake City bar's liquor license, saying renewal "will clearly have a continuing detrimental impact on the health, safety and welfare of the surrounding community."

The Rose Garden, at 13717 Lake City Way N.E., had 10 police responses to assaults during the first nine months of 2008.

"The community has been complaining for a number of years," Assistant City Attorney Ed McKenna said of the Rose Garden. "It was only really this year that we were able to determine the real extent of the problems emanating from the Rose Garden."

After a drunk customer stabbed an employee last year, police started a months-long investigation during which police "quickly and easily documented undercover purchases of narcotics, including several purchases from an employee," North Precinct Capt. Mike Washburn wrote in the letter to the Liquor Control Board.

Among the incidents listed includes a report from Oct. 31, 2008, when an undercover officer bought crack cocaine from an employee. The employee said the Rose Garden licensees paid him "under the table" and that the establishment was controlled by gangs for the purpose of drug dealing, according to police letter.

Liquor license holder Salvador Chavarria Jr. stressed in an interview that nothing is final and that the allegations are still being discussed with Seattle police and city officials.

He told police he was unaware of any drug dealing on his premises, according to law enforcement sources.

That story was included as background in the Police Department's request to the Liquor Control Board.

The area near Northeast 137th Street near Little Brook Park is referred to by police as "Little Beirut" because of increased criminal activity, primarily related to narcotics.

Last month, North Precinct officers began bike patrols in the area one Friday each month, and Seattle Public Utilities crews were dispatched to Lake City to target the graffiti problem.

The Rose Garden licensees, Chavarria and his wife, Chum Hwa Chavarria, met Jan. 15 with officials from the Police Department, the city's Department of Executive Administration, City Attorney's Office and liquor control agents.

Salvador Chavarria told police he knew how to recognize signs of drug dealing, but was unaware of any such activities occurring on his premises, according to the letter. Salvador Chavarria also told police he was aware of the undercover activities at the Rose Garden.

Officials said they provided options for the tavern to reduce criminal activity, including using security, changing the business format and conducting background reviews of employees.

"The licensees assured those in attendance they would seriously consider all the suggestions and would take immediate action to change the environment of the Rose Garden," according to Washburn's letter. "At the conclusion of that meeting, it was made perfectly clear to the licensees that unless significant measures were undertaken to resolve continuing public safety concerns, their liquor license would be placed in jeopardy."

However, police say on Jan. 22 officers used a confidential informant to make a drug deal sitting at the bar, and officers noticed patrons who were over served.

Last year, the Liquor Control Board received four complaints about conduct at the Rose Garden, spokeswoman Anne Radford said.

According to police, on Dec. 27 the bar owners received a verbal warning from a liquor control board agent for allowing lewd conduct. Seven months earlier, liquor control agents determined untaxed cigarettes had been sold at the Rose Garden, Washburn said.

Even if the Liquor Control Board chooses not to renew the Rose Garden's license -- up for renewal on April 30 -- it could be months before the tavern stops serving alcohol.

"We'll review all the documents that the city sent and we'll also look into our interactions with the establishment," Liquor Control Board spokeswoman Anne Radford said. "It will probably take a few months to review these documents and get it before the board. It's up to the licensee if they do get a non-renewal notice if they want to have a hearing."

A hearing, which must be requested within 20 days of the notice, is typically coordinated by the Attorney General's office between three to six months of the request, Radford said. An administrative law judge would have 90 days to rule after hearing, and that would go back to the board for a final order.

McKenna said Salvador Chavarria contacted him late this week asking why the city was trying to revoke the bar's license.

"It's its pretty obvious that the Rose Garden is so entrenched with criminal activity that having any license there would continue to be a detriment to the community," he told seattlepi.com.

Washburn was not available for comment Friday. Seattle police spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said "The letter speaks for itself."

To download a PDF of the police department's letter to the Liquor Control Board, click here.